Houston Daily

Seven schools in South Texas have received a combined total of $1,692,417 in Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants from the Texas Workforce Commission. The funding will be used to purchase and install equipment for career and technical education training programs, initially benefiting 482 students who are preparing for jobs such as nurses, electricians, and mechanics.

Governor Greg Abbott commented on the initiative: “Texas continues to support career and technical training programs to ensure young Texans have the tools necessary to be competitive in high-demand industries. The over $1.6 million in job training grants will help prepare students in South Texas to go directly from graduation into good-paying careers. I thank the Texas Workforce Commission for their efforts to train Texans for the bigger job and bigger paycheck opportunities that we provide in Texas.”

TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel added: “Today’s JET grants will help more than 480 young Texans build the confidence, skillset, and experience for critically in-demand careers. TWC is investing in a dynamic workforce system that will continue to energize our growing economy by making businesses more competitive.”

The awards were presented at Del Mar College’s Oso Creek campus by TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza, with state and local officials as well as school staff attending.

The recipients of the seven JET grants are:

- Banquete Independent School District (ISD): $350,000 to train 35 students as licensed practical and vocational nurses with Del Mar College.

- Calhoun County ISD: $79,277 to train 150 students as registered nurses with Victoria College.

- Corpus Christi ISD: $57,312 to train 30 students as electricians with Del Mar College.

- Del Mar College: $313,833 to train 85 students as automotive service technicians.

- George West ISD: $314,945 to train 20 students as licensed practical and vocational nurses with Del Mar College.

- San Diego ISD: $350,000 to train 87 students as licensed practical and vocational nurses with Del Mar College.

- Victoria College: $227,050 to train 75 students as chemical plant and systems operators.

The JET grant program is funded through allocations from the Texas Legislature every two years. The program helps cover start-up costs for developing or expanding career and technical education programs at public community colleges, state colleges, technical colleges, school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools. All equipment purchased must be used for training students for positions in high-demand fields.

More information about the JET grant program can be found on the Texas Workforce Commission website.